GameFest 2015

Overview

Do you become an unbridled force of swears and jerk moves playing Mario Kart? Do you get into (like, really get into) board games more than your average bored cousin playing Monopoly? This one's for you.

Geeks are about to take over the Old 505 Theatre, with an interactive, five-day mini-festival that blends gaming with theatre. Local collective Moonshot Games is transforming the space into a gaming paradise, open every day from noon to midnight. You can level up with a full program of events set to explore every aspect of gaming — from board games to interactive theatre.

There'll be a whole bunch of gaming sessions, large-scale immersive party games like Werewolf (think Mafia) and lectures by industry goalkickers. Importantly, there'll be Mario Kart, all day, for five days, and they'll be trying super hard to make Dungeons and Dragons some kind of trendo. Plus, a whole day is being set aside for Escape Room scenarios — like these ones.

Blurring the line between theatre and gaming, GameFest isn't the realm of sitting idly by and letting others play — especially the game-lovin' gals out there, this ain't a boys club. According to Moonshot, GameFest will be "a haven for a form that’s at the centre of a cultural moment, where a sense of community is fostered for hardcore gamers and intrigued newbies alike... A place where stories and experiences aren’t something foisted upon you, but something you take an active part in creating."

Day sessions will be free (from midday), and night events will be ticketed. Head to the Facebook page to book.

Image: Victoria Nelson.